Fun time with baby talk: Age 2 to 4 years

By: Pauline and Michael, Speech Pathology Team, Change for Life

• Speak clearly to your child—model good speech and language.
• Cut out pictures of favourite or familiar things. Put them into categories, like things to ride on and things to eat.
• Help your child understand and ask questions. Play the yes-no game. Ask questions such as, “Are you Paul?” and “Can a dog fly?” Have your child makeup questions and try to fool you.
• Ask questions that include a choice. “Do you want an apple or an orange?” “Do you want to wear your red shirt or your blue shirt?”
• Help your child learn new words. Name body parts, and talk about what you do with them. “This is my nose. I can smell flowers, brownies, and soap.”
• Sing simple songs and say nursery rhymes. It helps your child learn the rhythm of speech.
• Place familiar objects in a box. Have your child take one out and tell you it’s name and how to use it. “This is my ball. I bounce it. I play with it.”